Documentary: "Harvest of Empire"

February 6, 2014

Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:10 p.m.

Location: Commerce & Finance Building, room 209

The new documentary, Harvest of Empire, on the connection between the long history of U.S. intervention in Latin America and today's immigration crisis will be shown. The film will be introduced and discussed by immigration rights advocate Denise Griebler.

From territorial expansionist policies that decimated the young economies of Mexico, Puerto Rico and Cuba, to the covert operations that imposed oppressive military regimes in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador, Harvest of Empire provides an unflinching look at the origins of the growing Latino presence in the United States. Adapted from the landmark book written by journalist Juan Gonzalez, the film tells the story of an epic human saga that is largely unknown to the great majority of citizens in the U.S., but must become part of our national conversation about immigration.

Denise Griebleris an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ involved since 1980 in faith-based efforts to act in solidarity with the people of Latin America, including with undocumented immigrants in the U.S. She has participated in planning many liturgical actions and acts of civil disobedience as ways for people to faithfully resist U.S.-backed wars, human rights violations and unjust economic and immigration policies. After living in Chicago for most of her life, she now resides in Detroit.

This program is free and open to the public and is co-sponsored by the Carney Latin American Solidarity Archive (CLASA),the Hispanic American Student Association (HASA) and the Gesu Peace and Justice Committee.